Essentials Plus (CLOSED)

In a city where a packed Duane Reade or an unstocked CVS can throw the most hardened urbanite into fits of tears, this innocuous drugstore is a godsend. The modest exterior hides a beauty store, salon, basic dry-goods store and second-floor toy store complete with play area. Where else can you pick up a decent $7 umbrella while you’re checking out Bert and Ernie puppets ($15 each) and about 70 billion different kinds of Thomas the Tank Engine pieces (starting at $7)? Anyone who doesn’t live in the area will be jealous of this neighborhood staple.